Caught up in the maelstrom following the death of an obscure rabbi in the Roman backwater of first-century Palestine, Leah finds herself also engulfed in her own turmoil - facing the prospect of an arranged marriage to a Roman soldier, Alban, who seems to care for nothing but his own ambitions. Head of the garrison near Galilee, he has been assigned by Palestine's governor to ferret out the truth behind the rumors of a political execution gone awry. Leah's mistress, the governor's wife, secretly commissions Leah also to discover what really has become of this man whose death - and missing body - is causing such furor. Download and start listening now!

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Listener Opinions

by Heather Cain | 2/12/2014

" I loved the whole book itself. Even though Leah and Alban came from two different worlds, I thought it was a miracle that they had accepted what Romans during that time could not believe. I also loved the blooming romance that developed between the both of them and how they believed in the faith of the Judean people in order to follow it. "

by Nellie | 2/4/2014

" Leah is sent to Pontius Pilate in hopes that he might arrange a strategic marriage. Alban has ambitions that could one day see him at the seat of power in Rome itsself. This was an interesting book about the crusifiction of Christ. Very interesting and great fictional characters to go along with actual events. Clean, romantic relationship. "

by Suzy | 2/3/2014

" It wasn't that fantastic. I do love the fact that it was set in the firts century and that you got a chance to "see and hear" what people were thinking and feeling at that time. That is what keeps me coming back to thsi genre. However, I felt the plot lacked the type of dramatic story devlopment thta really makes a good book. The basic plot relied heavily on fact that one already knows, if they are familiar with the event of Christ's crucification and resurrection, but does little to really develope the characters own personal story line beyond that. I lost the book when I only had 30 pages left to read...and have had no desire to go looking for it because I feel that the ending was going to be predictable. "

by Christina | 1/30/2014

" This was a great book! There was only one part that was questionable and that was a small statement that Jehovah is God the Father. Other than that this is a good book that tells a story of two people being led to God and their realization that things that seem impossible are very real. "

" Very interesting take on how the Romans viewed Jesus Christ's crucifixtion. Gripping. I really enjoyed reading this one. Can't wait for the sequel to come out. "

Cari | 1/28/2014

" I did not get into this book right away, but it was really hard to put down after a while! It was an especially good read during Lent. It does a nice job of bringing the time period directly after Jesus' crucifixion to life. The ending leaves a lot to the imagination - I would have preferred a little more closure, or an epilogue, but I can appreciate the author leaving us to create our own conclusions. "

Kristyh | 1/28/2014

" I had downloaded this book before I read the reviews calling it a "Christian romance" and as it was already there and I am on a bit of a history jag, I thought I would at least start it. Until about 75% of the way through I was mystified as to why the reviewers had used the description, I was really enjoying the social life and political intrigue of Roman Judaea immediately following the crucifiction of Christ. The last part which was in fact "Christian romance", as the world's most devout atheist - not so much. The morbidly fascinating part of the book was the similarity between Christ and his "message", teachings, persecution and followers and the description of Charles Manson in Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders and of the Reverend Jim Jones in A Thousand Lives: The Untold Story of Hope, Deception, and Survival at Jonestown(minus the drugs). "

Apzmarshl | 1/18/2014

" 3.5 stars. Not necessarily totally accurate but still a good solid book and very interesting to hear other accounts of the time of Jesus' life. "

Janette | 1/17/2014

" Another nice book for the Christmas season. "

Allen L. | 1/15/2014

" the early Christian church very descriptive. felt part of the story. "

Victoria Oh | 1/6/2014

" Trying my best to read this book. Cannot get into it at all. :( "

Barbara | 11/20/2013

" I read this on my kindle- I will re-read this. Really enjoyed. I liked reading about this time period, I enjoyed the development of the personalities. "

Val | 11/8/2013

" I enjoyed the book for the most part. I really appreciated being able to get into the culture of Christ's era and grasping a better understanding of it. I found some of the narrative hard to follow, but overall I liked it. "

Sharon | 11/4/2013

" Sappy book, too much repletion of what happened already in her life. "

Lynn | 11/3/2013

" the book was good. It got a little slow and long in the middle. But it was interesting how they made the events blend into the sotry of Christ. "

Martha | 11/3/2013

" Very enjoyable. It was a good book about developing faith in Christ and learning who He is. "

Rhonda Lasser | 10/27/2013

" This was my first experience with fiction based on scripture, and I really enjoyed it. "

Laurel | 7/17/2013

" Interesting fiction about Romans/Gauls/Judeans in the time right after Jesus' cruxifiction. Written from a born-again Christian perspective, but provided some thoughtful reflection on what people might have been thinking at the time. "

Elizabeth K | 2/11/2013

" I did not know what to expect from this book. I love reading history books (the kind that helps you learn without you knowing that you learned something.) "

Donna | 1/24/2013

" Just finished this book. Had some great insights into what it was like among the disciples and early christians immediately following Jesus death. "

Sara | 9/4/2012

" I started reading this at 9 am one night. Mistake. Really good, really interesting book. Finished it about 1:30 am... "

Maile | 9/1/2012

" I didn't know whether to give this a 3 or 4. I liked it, it was just a little, I don't know, just kind of typical Janette Oke if that makes any sense. "

April | 7/10/2012

" I enjoyed the story. It was a quick easy read. I enjoyed a story from the onlookers of the Saviors time of the earth. "

Davina Sinclair | 7/10/2012

" First in a 3 part series. Based in the time of the early Christians. Bit of a love story really. Enjoyed the way they show how God calls people to Him then and transforms their lives and also how he changes and challenges people who believe and follow Him. "

Nicki Brough | 6/11/2012

" The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because the beginning was slow and a little boring but after that it was a great book. "

Lydia | 3/20/2012

" It's hard to fit theology into a fiction romance/adventure novel. The theology came across as cheesy and canned in the places where fiction turned into not-so-subtle evangelism. "

Linda | 11/14/2011

" I really liked this book, set at the time of the Lord's crucifiction. It is 90% fiction, with biblical characters weaved into the story. I am lucky that I had book two on hand since it picks up immediately where this one leaves off. "

Susan | 5/18/2011

" Just loved this one! Very enjoyable read!
"

Sandra | 5/9/2011

" Good Christian story told from a different aspect of Jesus death and resurrection. I would recommend and I will read more of Bunn and Oakes.
"

Melanie | 5/3/2011

" Historical fiction--takes place in Jerusalem area directly following Jesus' death. Interesting perspectives, gave some insights to the political/social structure of the time.
"

Elaine | 4/28/2011

" This was amazing! Full review coming soon!
"

Elizabeth | 4/16/2011

" I did not know what to expect from this book. I love reading history books (the kind that helps you learn without you knowing that you learned something.)
"

Cherilee | 4/11/2011

" It would have been 4 stars but it was supposed to be a romance but the romance part was a little lacking. However, the rest of the story was great and a very interesting read. It is one of those feel good books:)
"

Katy | 3/23/2011

" I really enjoyed this book. It is a historical fiction and takes place in Jerusalem in the days after Jesus' death on the cross. It was an interesting story and I learned about some of the culture and political background of that time.
"

Rebekah | 3/15/2011

" This was a really sweet book, it was an easy and quick read.
"

Phyllis | 3/8/2011

" Not as bad as I thought it would be - more historical - less religious. Written fairly well.
"

Beth | 3/5/2011

" This book was great. The history and times of Jesus death and the secrecy surrounding it.
"

Judy | 3/5/2011

" I could not put this down, the story pulled me in but I was disappointed with the ending, left me hanging and I hope there is a 2nd one coming.
"

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